Race Report: Super GT 2012 Round 3: Sepang International Circuit

Beneath the scorching hot Malaysian sun, the 2012 Round 3 of the Super GT had just concluded last weekend. And what a race it was! The crowd turnout was nothing short of amazing with 80,000 people storming the circuit during the race weekend.

Where else would one find the perfect combination of fast and great looking GT cars, hot race queens and enthusiastic crowds all rolled into one? I’m a self confessed Super GT seasoned chap. Been reporting every single Malaysian round of the championship since the it first came to Malaysia in the year 2000 (that time known as the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship). So needless to say, every June is an exciting month for me.

In the GT 500 class, the competing cars are pretty much the same as per last year but in the GT300 class, there’s a host of new entrants in the form of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, Audi R8-LMS, Subaru BRZ, Corvette Z06R GT3 and the Toyota Prius. This class is getting a myriad of vehicles from foreign makes. It used to be dominated by the Japanese.

My favourite team didn’t do too well, the Calsonic IMPUL GT-R got 5th place. The rest of team running the Nissan GT-R got 8th place (Motul Autech GT-R) and 14th (S Road Reito Mola GT-R). The D'station Advan GT-R retired just after 2 laps!

The S Road NDDP GT-R, being the sole Nissan GT-R competing in the GT 300 class got 4th place.

In the GT500 class, Machine No. 18 WEIDER HSV-010 took Pole Position during the Qualifying Session, and went on to win the race, although for most of the race, Machine No. 38 ZENT CERUMO SC430 was snapping at its heels. Takashi Kogure, Driver 1 of the No. 18 WEIDER HSV-010 remained steady under pressure and by Lap 13, he was leading by 3.438 seconds. Carlo Van Dam took the wheel in Lap 29 with the car still in the lead, and continued all the way to the chequered flag with a time of 1:47:52.531 seconds.

When Van Dam took over, he looked to be in a little trouble putting in quick laps at first. However, when speaking at the Post-Race Press Conference, Van Dam clarified, “I went more slowly at the beginning because I was trying to preserve the tyres so I took it easier – maybe a little too easy. Even so, I could see that the car behind me (No. 38 ZENT CERUMO SC430) was just keeping up, so I decided I would push the car a little more and it couldn’t follow anymore.”

In the GT300 class, Machine No. 33 HANKOOK PORSCHE claimed the chequered flag after 49 Laps of furious racing. The HANKOOK PORSCHE, which also took Pole Position in the Qualifying Sesion had a steady race with no problems. Drivers Masami Kageyama and Tomonobu Fujii made consistent and quick laps with the HANKOOK PORSCHE, crossing the finishing line with a time of 1:47:57.011 seconds. At the Post-Race Press Conference, both drivers attributed the win to keeping the tyre pressure and temperature steady.

After the Sepang Round, the Super GT entourage will move on to Round 4 SUGO, which is set to be on the 28th and 29th of July, giving the teams and their drivers plenty of time to rest and regain their strength after the gruelling two days in Sepang. Currently, Yuji Tachikawa and Kohei Hirate are leading the drivers standing in the GT500, while Kyosuke Mineo and Naoki Yokomizo are leading in the GT300.

Below are more images from the race. For the complete album, head on to this LINK.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

        

Malaysian Entry via Thunder Asia Racing Team to enter Rd 3 of Super GT 2012

This year in the Malaysian round of the Super GT (9 and 10 June 2012), there will be a Malaysian wild card entry via Thunder Asia Racing Team, lead by Fairuz Fauzy and Hikori Yoshida in a Mosler MT900m. 

Super GT fans will be familiar with this team as they raced in the 2009 round here in Malaysia. At that time, it was piloted by a Melvin Choo (Singaporean) and Martin Short (British).

Fairuz Fauzy’s participation ignites the national pride as the sole Malaysian driver to race in round 3 of the SUPER GT 2012.

Touted as the FASTEST Grand Touring Race in the world, and the ONLY SUPER GT race outside of Japan, Malaysian fans now have hope of a possibility of a podium finish. Fairuz is no stranger to the world of Malaysian motorsport. He has achieved remarkably well in past races.

“It’s always an honour to represent Malaysia on the international stage. The Super GT is something new and exciting which will enable us to challenge ourselves. We certainly look forward to putting on a good show for our community,” stated Fairuz Fauzy.

He continued, “To be part of the fastest grand touring race in the world and a sport with a huge global following is superb. The fact that Malaysia is the only other country outside of Japan to host this race is spectacular and I am absolutely thrilled to represent Malaysia and hope that more Malaysian fans will root for us.”

Apart from Super GT, there will be a motorshow in the form of the AFFIN Bank Motorshow which will be held with the participation of leading conglomerates such as Sime Darby Motors, NAZA World, Lamborghini and other major world class manufacturers like Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, Hyundai, Mercedes Benz as well as aftermarket accessory makers like Motul, Denso, V Kool, Paint Shield, ENEOS, McKee Racing. 

Head on over if you want to checkout the finest collection of vehicles from exotic makers such as Ferrari, Maserati, and Porsche, Mercedes Mclaren SLR, Mercedes AMG C63 to performance automakers such as Alfa Romeo, BMW, Ford and even Land Rover, who provide alternatives for 4x4 lovers.

Adding to the excitement; private owners will be displaying some of the rarest cars and bikes, like the newly launch, Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, Morgan Aero Super Sport, 3 times Le Man Winner remake like the Ford GT40, the 2400cc Motorcycle in the form of Triumph Rocket 3 and many more! Even some of the past SUPER GT Race Cars will be on display, making it truly a heaven for automotive enthusiasts! To top it off, Ducati and Harley Davidson will be bringing in their best motorbikes to the show. 

If racing and a spine-tingling selection of rare cars are not enough to quench the thirst for automotive entertainment, JPM Motorsport has lined up one more star attraction for motorsport fans. This time, with the support and help from all the car clubs, JPM Motorsport aimed to break the record created last year in the Malaysia Book of Records with the 2nd Edition of the Biggest Super and Performance Car Gathering! The objective is to gather more than 405 cars (2011 record) on the front straight of Sepang International Circuit (SIC), featuring cars from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin, Lotus, and Japanese sports cars like the Lexus SC430, Honda NSX, Nissan Skyline, Nissan GTR and Mazda RX7.

Besides racing, there will be a Extreme Street Dance Competition by 40 dance teams from various colleges in Klang Valley and Penang to showcase their astounding dance choreography. The top two teams will be battle on the center stage to be judged by the international judges, Jr Boogaloo (USA) and Shay Normann (UK).

For the party heads, the night of 9th June will be filled by a Dance Party, where everyone can immerse themselves to the hypnotic beats spun by renowned DJ KC, DJ Fuzz, DJ Patricia Knudsen, DJ Joey G and DJ Goldfish!

Grandstand tickets are priced at RM100 each, and can be bought online at www.supergt.com.my or www.ticketcharge.com.my. So what are you waiting for? See you in Sepang International Circuit!